NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

This museum features a series of portraits and busts of those who have influenced the history and culture of the United States: poets, presidents, visionaries, actors, Indian chiefs, scientists and athletes... (Elvis Presley, G.W. Bush, Lafayette, Hillary Clinton, André Agassi...). In 2018, the portraits of Barack Obama (^2nd floor) and his wife Michelle Obama (^1st floor) were added to the collection. They were produced by two African-American artists, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald respectively. Contemporary, modern and innovative in style, the two portraits are very much in line with the former presidential couple. Since they were unveiled, the museum has welcomed more than a million more visitors in one year, proof that the Obama's popularity has not waned since they left the White House.

^1st floor: American Origins exhibition (1600-1900). Do not miss the portrait of Pocahontas, the belt of Quaker William Penn and the photo of Gordon, a slave of Baton Rouge, whose back is bruised by his master's blows. Also temporary exhibitions.

^2nd floor: the exciting America's Presidents exhibition. Not to be missed: the painting of President George Washington, bought by the museum for more than US$20 million (thanks to the generous donation - about US$35 million - of patron Donald W. Reynolds, who gave his name to the brand new museum), an original portrait of Bill Clinton by Elaine de Kooning and two plaster masks moulded from Abraham Lincoln's face. Also, temporary exhibitions.

^3rd floor: Bravo exhibition! which shows portraits of celebrities from the 19th century to the present day. We meet Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. And the Champions exhibition, where boxers, swimmers, golfers and other sportsmen and women who have made history through their achievements are represented.